School Bans the Word ‘Easter’ From Easter Festivities to Not ‘Infringe on the Rights of Others’

Heritage Elementary School in Madison, Alabama is taking the word “Easter” out of Easter, according to WHNT19 News.

What does that mean? Well, they’ll still tolerate someone dressed as a giant bunny, but it will no longer be called the “Easter bunny.” Similarly, “Easter eggs” are just “eggs,” and it might be better just to use “different shapes.”

School principal Lydia Davenport said with a smile: “Kids love the bunny, and we just make sure we don’t say ‘the Easter bunny’ so that we don’t infringe on the rights of others, because people relate the Easter bunny to religion. A bunny is a bunny and a rabbit is a rabbit.”

(Photo: WHNT19-TV)

WHNT News adds:

[Davenport] informed staff no activities related to or centered around any religious holiday would be allowed in the interest, she says, of religious diversity among students.

There is nothing biblical about Easter bunnies or colorful plastic eggs or synthetic iridescent grass clippings — but the perceived need to modify the student egg hunt has many parents upset; less upset, they say about the need to preserve religious freedom and more about their students’ freedom to simply be a kid.

One Heritage parent wrote in an email response:

“I don’t get upset about too many things, but this upsets me. What is this world coming to? I am a Christian and proud to announce it. But even non-believers enjoy a good egg hunt. Kids need to enjoy being kids.”

[…]

Davenport says Madison City Schools have no policy in place regarding observance of religious holidays. Elementary school teachers in Madison are allowed to choose the two parties they wish their respective classes to participate in each year. The egg hunt and quiz bowl will go on, just without any mention of the word “Easter”.

Davenport said one teacher at her school has students representing six different religious denominations and since a parent has “questioned” their festivities in the past, they’re just “trying to make sure we respect and honor everybody’s differences.”

Fox News’ Todd Starnes got in touch with Madison City School Board member Phil Schmidt about the issue, who commented:

“The principal was trying to be extremely cautious about having anything religious in the school – probably more cautious than she needed to be…In this world of schools, it’s probably better to be cautious than reckless. But at the same time you’ve got to use good judgment about it.”

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